Driving mechanism for steering-wheels of motor-vehicles.



w. J. EVANS. DRIVING MECHANISM FOR. STEEEING- WBEELS OF MOTORVEHIGLES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 11, 1911.

L,Q45,778, Patented N0v.26, 1912.

WILLIAM J. EVANS, F LINNBURG, IOXVA.

DRIVING MECHANISM I OR STEERING-WHEELS 0F MOTOR-VEHICLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 26,1912.

Application filed July 11, 1911. Serial No. 63%,914.

motor vehicle, or the like may be turned inthe ordinary well-known manner, and also that will enable the said wheel to be driven 'from the motor or other driving power of the machine, thereby permitting both the :lront'and rear wheels to be driven.

Another objectot the invention is the provision of mechanism of this character in which the steering wheel is supported -in a novel manner, whereby the same may be turned for the guiding of the motor vehicle, as well as advancing the same.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a driving mechanism of this character in which the front steering wheel may be driven, irrespective of the angular disposition thereof, when guiding a motor vehicle or the like.

A still further objectof the invention is the provision of mechanism of this character which is simple in construction, strong. durable, efiicient and reliable in operation, and well adapted for the purpose for which it is designed.

Jith these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction. combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

in the drawings. Figure 1 is front elevaiion of an axle and the steering i i is of an automobile, vehicle or the like, with the invention applied thereto. 2 is a frat iuentary enlarged vertical sectional. v. through the same. a sectional v on the line 3 3 of J.

Similar retereace cl'iaracters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drcwin Referring to the drawings by no metals,

18 is a cylinllrical-sliaped boxi 1O designates a tubular stationary front axle of an automobile, vehicle, or the like, and 11 the driving shaft, the same being journaled in the axle in any suitable manner. Formedon each end of the stationary axle are laterally extending arms 12, between which is arranged a steering knuckle 13 having extensions 14: which are provided with pivot lugs 15 engaging in suitable openings formed in the arms 12, thereby pivotally connecting the knuckle to the said arms. The steering knuckle 13 further has a su .porting sleeve 16, on which the hub 17 of t ie 'wheel rcsts,'which is of the ordinary wellknown construction. The supporting sleeve 16 of the steering knuckle is arranged in the central opening or bore in the said hub 17 of the wheel.

Extending through the central opening in the sleeve 16 is a rotatable spindle 18, the outer end of which is formed with squared portion 19 which engages in a correspond ingly squared socket formed in e removal'ile cap 20. the latter being provided with an annular flange 21 which is bolted or otherwise secured to the outer end of the hub 17, so that upon rotation of the spindle 18, the said hub will rotate therewith. To more securely fasten the cap to the spindle 18, there is passed through the said cap a transverse bolt memher 22. the same being also passed through the outer squared portion 19 ot the spindle, so that the said huh will r0- tate upon the supporting sleeve 36, when the spindle is driv n, in manner presently described.

Fornied on the inner end oi the spindle I l; rotatably mounted within the knuckle the boxing being formed with a substantially spherical-shaped ball in. which is loosely engaged a ball ernnnal formed on the end the dri shaft 11, adjacent to the said indie ball terminal being formed with r. really opposed outwardly tendin .ngs or pins 26, on which are rotaraoly engaged slide blocks 27, the latter being movably engaged in grooves or raceways 28 formed in the inner wall of the socket 23, so that the knuckle 13 may be turned at various angles, without interfering with the driving connection between the socket 23 and the ball terminal 25 on the driving shaft. It will be seen that the slide blocks 27 will move in the groove or raceway 28 in the said socket '23, when the knuckle 13 is angularly shifted, and that the said driving shaft 11 will be positively connected with the spindle 18 for the rotation thereof.

Integral with and projecting from the knuckle 13 are arms 29, to which are pivotally connected union rods of the ordinary well-known construction, and one of these arms 29 is suitably connected with the steering Wheel shaft (not shown,) so that the front wheels may be shifted for the quiding of the motor vehicle, as usual.

It is of course understood that the driving shaft 11 is actuated in any ordinary Well-known manner, that is to say, from an engine (not shown) supported inthe body of the vehicle.

From the foregoing, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it 1s thought that the construction and operation of the invention will be readily understood, without requiring a more extended explanation.

What is claimed is The combination with a, stationary axle having a forked end, of a driving shaft journaled in said axle and having a ball terminal, a hollow knuckle detachably pivote'd in said fork for swinging movement and having an outwardly projecting sleeve, adjustable means engaged in the fork and.

opposite points and engaged in said slots.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WVILLIAM J. EVANS. l/Vitnesses:

P. A. SwANsoN, Geo, I-THHARWION. 

